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Free & open source · Windows, macOS and Linux

A Docker alternative for PHP and Laravel

All of Sail's services. None of the containers.

Flock is a native alternative to Docker and Laravel Sail for local PHP development. The same MySQL, PostgreSQL, Valkey, Meilisearch and Mailpit-style mail, running directly on macOS, Windows or Linux, with every project on its own .test domain over HTTPS.

Download Flock Flock vs Docker (Laravel Sail)

Windows, macOS and Linux · No account, no license key

Why people switch

Where Docker gets in the way.

A VM in the background

Docker Desktop runs a Linux VM that holds on to memory and battery. Flock's services are ordinary processes.

Slow file sync

Bind mounts on macOS and Windows slow down every request. Flock reads your files straight from disk.

Rebuild to change PHP

Switching PHP or Node in Sail means a new image. In Flock it is one command, and nothing to rebuild.

What changes

Moving from Docker to Flock.

The 9 things you gain. Everything else works the way you're used to.

  • Price Free; Docker Desktop is paid for larger companies Free, open source, no account
  • Runs natively Containers, inside a VM on macOS and Windows Native processes, no VM or containers
  • .test domains localhost and port numbers Built-in DNS, subdomains included
  • Trusted HTTPS Not by default Root limited to .test, no warnings
  • Dumps and logs Not included Per-request timeline and Laravel log
  • Xdebug Environment variables and a rebuild Turns on when you set a breakpoint
  • Node.js Baked into the image, rebuild to change Per project from .nvmrc
  • FrankenPHP and Octane Octane through a compose.yaml setting Per site, with Octane worker mode
  • AI agentic development Not included Built-in MCP server

See all 18 rows, and where Docker still shines

Switching

Four steps, about five minutes.

  1. 01

    Stop the containers

    Stop Sail so the ports for the web server and databases are free.

    sail down
  2. 02

    Install Flock

    Run the installer for your system, and install the services your compose.yaml used.

    flock services install mysql 8.4
  3. 03

    Link the project

    Link the project, and it is served on its .test domain.

    flock link
  4. 04

    Point .env at your machine

    Set DB_HOST, REDIS_HOST and MAIL_HOST to 127.0.0.1 instead of the container names, and MAIL_PORT to 2525.

FAQ

Before you leave Docker.

No. Keep compose.yaml for teammates who use Sail. Flock needs no files, and only the hosts in your own .env change.

Dump it from the container, for example with sail mysql or docker exec, then import it into Flock's database with the client on your PATH.

For personal use and small companies, yes. Larger companies need a paid subscription. Flock is free for everyone.

Join the flock.

Install Flock, park your code folder and open https://your-app.test.

Download Flock Star on GitHub